Allyala Nandakumar is a research professor at the Boston University School of Social Work, where he directs the Global Social Work and Public Health Lab at the Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health. In addition to his role at Boston University, he holds the Alan B. Slifka Chair at the Heller School at Brandeis University, overseeing the school’s global programs.

Throughout his career, Dr. Nandakumar has held several prominent positions, including as the chief economist at the State Department in the Global Health Security and Diplomacy/PEPFAR Office. He was also the chief economist for the Global Health Bureau at USAID, Senior Advisor to USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC, and senior advisor to the Health Office at USAID India. Dr. Nandakumar has an MS from Bangalore University and a PhD from Boston University.